Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Asuncion or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Cartagena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Asuncion or Cartagena?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $68Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $68, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Asuncion and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22Cartagena $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Cartagena? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.82Cartagena $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Asuncion change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayAsuncion $17Cartagena $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- Street Food & Local Food Tour: $67
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City and Getsemani: $74
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Asuncion: $34
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $120
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $207
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Accessible sightseeing tour of Cartagena: $165
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $14
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10Cartagena $9.39
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
-
Beer$1.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing and Complimentary Drinks: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $20
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Cartagena, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Cartagena?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Cartagena, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Asuncion or Cartagena?
Asuncion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Asuncion or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Asuncion during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the summer, Asuncion is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asuncion in January average around 29°C (84°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F)in July.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asuncion. In the summer, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than Cartagenain July. Asuncion gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually gets more rain in January than Cartagenain July. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyAsuncion 29°C (84°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Asuncion is generally cooler than Cartagenain October. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 24°C (75°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Asuncion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asuncion usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cartagenain October. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberAsuncion 24°C (75°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Asuncion is cooler than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the winter, Asuncion often gets less sunshine than Cartagenain January. Asuncion gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Asuncion usually gets more rain in July than Cartagenain January. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAsuncion 19°C (66°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Asuncion is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asuncion in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during spring. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Asuncion. In October, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Cartagenain April. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilAsuncion 25°C (77°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Asuncion
| Asuncion | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (84°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.